I Spy ...

I was up just a little after 530am ready to get my day rockin’ and rollin’. Like the past few days, it was cloudy but warm. The pavement looked wet too, but it wasn’t raining at the present time. I completed my daily exercise regimen then headed out with Ykraps. Ykraps talked the entire time, although I couldn’t quite make out was he was saying. I got the impression he might be telling me where to go. But I don’t know. It was all gibberish. :) I enjoyed some coffee while playing around on my PC. Come 6:10am I delivered Mindy’s coffee and woke her for work. At her request, I turned off the ceiling fan on my way back downstairs. I picked up right where I left off reading the Daily OM and a few scattered headlines. At 6:22am I stopped playing and moved on to meditation and stretching. I was disappointed that my stiff neck was back. Before and after meditation I did some stretches that focused primarily on the neck muscles. That helped quite a bit. I soon found myself a few minutes behind schedule. It was already 6:40am. I got dressed somewhat hurriedly for my run. Once again, because it was 67 degrees, I skipped wearing a shirt. It was quite comfortable. And an excellent run it was. I felt terrific. I am so blessed to be able to do what I do. Back at the house, my eggs were ready with a side of OJ. Mindy, Bella and I enjoyed our breakfast together. However, Mindy wasn’t with us for long. After doing Bella’s hair she was out the door. Bella and I shared our usual morning banter before I headed up for shower. I was dressed and ready by 7:50am. The kids were already making their way out the door as I headed down the steps. They’re always eager to get out to the bus stop. At Jacob’s request, I took the football. He passed more with Kenny since I had Ykraps on a leash. The bus was there and gone by 8:01am. I headed back inside for some last minute prep. I loaded and started the dishwasher then split. Work was busy from jump. Amongst other things, we were going through our bi-annual UL ISO9000 audit. They came to visit me in my office just as I was thinking about escaping for lunch. Lovely! The auditor & I spent about 25 minutes together. I wouldn’t use pleasant to describe the experience. Afterwards, he spent time with a couple of my engineers too. By the time that was over with it was too late to take a meaningful lunch. I decided to skip it. My PC locked up mid-afternoon. Other than that, it was a good afternoon. I talked with Mindy soon after she arrived home from school. She was busy reviewing the kids school work/homework and preparing for dinner. She asked if I had a preference. She let me know that Jacob suggested Barley’s. No. We already have plans to dine there on Friday with the kids. We agreed that it would be a surprise. I was busy for the remainder of the day. I didn’t get out of the office until 5:35pm. It was nearly 6pm when I arrived home. Immediately, Mindy let me know that Jacob would be taking in a Blue Jackets preseason game with his father. I asked if I needed to walk Ykraps. I did. He & I headed out the door not five minutes after arriving home. I was patient, but also very hungry. I couldn’t wait to get back home. We were having baked chicken and cream of chicken over rice. Another one of my favorites. Everyone was sitting at the table when I got back home. I kidded them about not waiting for me. Mindy was quick to retort that she hadn’t yet started eating. But the kids quickly chimed in that she had in fact taken at least one bite already. Before I could sit down, I opened the one piece of mail I received and then answered a knock at the front door. It was Jimaken. The mail was from Nationwide Irrigation offering a s$50 winterization special. Sounds like a deal. Finally, I sat to eat. Meanwhile, Jimaken and Jacob headed off for the hockey game. Bella shared a bit about her day, including the new “I Spy” book she brought home from the school library. She said the library has millions of them. Wow! :) She also expressed that she was bored, obviously melancholy after seeing Jacob leaving for the hockey game. We asked what she wanted to do, and she said, ‘go bowling’! We offered that, but only Wii bowling. That didn’t float. Mindy offered to watch a movie with her. That piqued her interest. I did the dinner clean-up and dishes. That took about 20 minutes. While Mindy & Bella got busy with the latest Veggie Tales movie I got busy on my PC. I finished writing Wednesday’s blog entry and then published the last two days. All of that took longer than expected. The movie was over when I finished. After the movie Bella came to hang out with me. It was only 8:45pm. Mindy spoke of being extremely tired and begged off for an early bedtime. Bella & I stayed up and did an ‘I Spy’ page. I tucked her in shortly after. Back downstairs I tuned into the Thursday Night ESPN college football game. Jacob got home from hockey around 9pm. Bella came down to see Jacob. I heard Mindy get up to tuck Jacob in. And I think she re-tucked Bella, too. I fell asleep during the football game but woke in time to see the final two minutes. Number 4, Mississippi lost. I headed to bed shortly thereafter.